Improvement in photography



E. L. BEBGSTRESSER.

Photogra phy.

Patented .Iune 17, 1873.

WifNEssEs AM M0101 ITHOGRAPHIC 00. M X (ossannf's Paves-5s) UNITED STATES PATENT CFFICE.

EDWIN L. BERGSTRESSER, OF HUBLERSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN PHOTOGRAPHY.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 140,001, dated June 17, 1873; application filed March 25, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN L. BERGSTRES- SER, of Hublersburg, in the county of Centre and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Photography; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specifloat-ion.

The nature of my invention relates to an improvement in photographic negative glasses or plates; and consists in forming rims, flanges, or cars upon the glass or plate, so that it may be held in any suitable kind ot a frame or back, so as to make each negative its own printing-frame. It also consists in forming a groove wholly or partially around the plate, so as to catch the surplus silver as it flows off, and convey it to a receptacle prepared for it. It also consistsin the arrangement and combination of parts, which will be more fully described hereafter:

Figure l is a view of thejne'gative plate or glass showing the rims or flanges. Fig. 2 is an end view of the same. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the back, to be attached to theglass. Fig. 4 is an end view of the glass and back together. Fig. 5 shows the glass in position in the protecting-frame, resting upon the receptacle for catching the drip-silver.

(t represents the negative plate or glass, made of any shape or size desired, and which has araised rini,flange,ears, or any equivalent devices, 0, formed upon opposite sides, by means of which the plate is secured to the back a. This back consists of two flat pieces of wood hinged together in the middle, and provided with suitable springs, catches, or hooks g, which catch over the rims or flanges, and bind the plate and back together. The prepared paper is placed between the two after the negative has been taken, and the picture printed while thus held, thus making each negative its own printing-frame, and entirely dispensing with the cumbrous frame now in use. The back being formed of two parts either one can be swung back from time to time, so as to allow the operator to examine the print. Extending wholly or partially around the surface of the plate is formed a groove, 1, having a notch, 0, at each end, and in which the surplus silver solution is caught as it drains off, and conducted to the receptacle a, filled with cotton saturated with alcohol, placed in the bottom of the protecting-frame.

In working the plates rapidly, there is not time to allow them to drain thoroughly, and when put in the frame m, in which it is placed in the camera, this solution is caught in a a glass (or other suitable material) vessel and saved. This groove also causes the collodionfilm to adhere more firmly to the plate than it otherwise would upon a plain fiat surface.

The rims or flanges assist in the fixing of the negative in the hypo bath, affording an opportunity of fixing the negative with film or collodion down, and by keeping the negative raised above the bottom of the dish, and protecting it from injury in case there should be dirt or sediment in the bath. The construction of the glass also prevents the develop from flowing ofi' during the operation of developing.

Having thus describedmy invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- l. A negative plate or glass having rims, flanges, or their equivalents, upon its surface, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A negative plate, provided with a groove in its face for catching the drain of silver or other solution, substantially as shown and described. 3. In combination with the negative plate, provided with rims or flanges, the hinged back and holding springs, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing,I have hereunto set my hand this 12th day of March, 1873.

EDWIN L. BERGSTRESSER.

Witnesses:

C. H. STROHEGKER, JOSEPH WHITBY. 

